Do You Recognize this Coach?

I hope everyone is doing great out there! There is now less than 1 month until college football begins and to say that I am ecstatic would be a major understatement. Every time I see highlights or previews on television I squeal ( I know…gag me) and have trouble containing my enthusiasm! There were so many highlights from SEC media days but one of my favorites had to be interviewing Coach Nick Saban in a more intimate setting. By this I mean, this was the first time I was able to interview him with just two other people participating ( thanks Scott and Randolph P. Bergan). There might have been only two other people participating but the flash bulbs were blinding! I liken it to what it must have been like traveling with the Beatles! As soon as he sat down the people all around us moved two or three steps closer and craned their necks to hear what he was saying. But if you weren’t wearing the headsets good luck. To be SO intense he is soft spoken at times. In my estimation this was by design. In his mind the people that needed to hear him heard him and the others didn’t matter. I think he carries the same attitude into coaching the Crimson Tide. They (football players/coaches) are his focus, he cares about them, everyone else and everything doesn’t really matter.

Last year Coach was so rigid and opposed to the media for a plethora of reasons. This year it was like we were interviewing a completely different person. He was still intense as all get out, but it seemed that he realized that the media could indeed help him and we DIDN’t have to be at odds. For gosh sakes he even thanked us as he left the Internet/radio room. Needless to say, we were all speechless! After having the opportunity to interview Coach Saban this year I’m no longer afraid of being reduced to a pile of ash by his laser eye beams. I know he still possesses the power so I better run and get my questions ready for the Clemson game.